Ice on Whyte

The 10th Anniversary of this popular annual winter festival promises the same fun and excitement of years past (Reader’s Digest named it one of the Top 10 Coolest Winter Festivals in Canada this year) with an impressive display of ice and snow sculpture, children’s crafts and activities, a giant ice slide, live music, skating, karaoke, fashion shows, sports, food and hot beverages, and more. This year, teams from Russia, Holland, Latvia, and the Netherlands have come to compete in featured International Ice Carving Competition and create the impressive sculptures that will be on display during the festival.

An impressive ice carving display from Ice on Whyte 2012.

The festival runs from January 25 – February 3, from 2 pm – 10 pm Monday – Friday and 10 am – 10 pm Saturday – Sunday. Admission is cash only:Adult $5, Child (2 – 12) $2.50; Children under 2 are free. While the impressive ice sculptures are always on display, a variety of other events and activities take place at different times every day, so be sure to visit www.iceonwhyte.ca to see a complete schedule of events and plan your visit accordingly.

Some new activities featured this year include an outdoor Zumba lesson (Sunday, January 27, 2 pm), a skating obstacle course (Tuesday, January 29, 7 pm), a Story Slam (Monday, January 28, 7 pm) and a 10th Anniversary Party (Sunday, February 3, 6 – 10 pm) that will feature a DJ dance party and drumming extravaganza.

Many of the shops and restaurants along Whyte (82) Ave. have extended hours and special offers during the Ice on Whyte festival, so be sure to wander down the avenue for some fun, too!

Find all the Ice on Whyte action at the end of Steel Park on Gateway Blvd. and Tommy Banks Way, next to the Yardbird Suite and C103 (formerly known as Catalyst Theatre). Free parking is available at the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market parking lot on Gateway Blvd. and 85 Ave.

Double up on the festivities and check out a performance during the Canoe Theatre Festival, hosted at C103, after your time at Ice on Whyte. The Canoe Theatre Festival program contains a coupon for 2-for-1 admission at Ice on Whyte; likewise, patrons can show their Ice on Whyte hand stamp at the door of the Canoe Theatre Festival to receive $5 off admission to any show (except for Dancing with Rage). or complete Canoe Theatre Festival schedules, ticket prices and show times, please visitwww.workshopwest.org.